Doyle Drive Construction Halted After Antique Explosives Found

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) — Construction on the new Presidio Parkway was stopped twice this week after work crews discovered old explosives on the former military base.

According to officials, workers found a 20 inch rusted mortar shell while digging near Halleck and Graham streets on Thursday. The discovery occurred one day after workers found a cannonball during a separate dig.

The National Park Police and the bomb squad from Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield were called to the scene Thursday afternoon to neutralize the ordnance. The device was detonated by the bomb squad Thursday evening.

Part of Doyle Drive was closed and the immediate area was evacuated during the incident.

Officials told KPIX 5 that workers are trained to spot explosives at the site, which was used as a military installation for more than 200 years.

The Presidio Parkway project to permanently replace Doyle Drive is expected to be complete in 2015. Officials have announced construction will resume on Friday.

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